Osteocalcin/BGLAP [G5]

Bone γ-carboxyglutamic acid (Gla) protein, known as BGLAP, BGP or osteocalcin, is an abundant, non-collagenous protein component of bone that is produced by osteoblasts. In mice, osteocalcin is composed of a cluster of 3 genes known as OG1, OG2 and ORG, all of which can be found within a 23 Kb span of genomic DNA. Human osteocalcin is a highly conserved, 46-50 amino acid, single chain protein that contains 3 vitamin K-dependent γ-carboxyglutamic acid residues. Osteocalcin appears transiently in embryonic bone at the time of mineral deposition, where it binds to hydroxyapatite in a calcium-dependent manner. In addition, osteocalcin is one of the most abundant, non-collagenous proteins found in mineralized adult bone. Genetic variation at the osteocalcin locus on chromosome 1q22 impacts postmenopause bone mineral density (BMD) levels and may predispose some women to osteoporosis.